Astrid y Gastón

Posted on June 30, 2016

A meal at Astrid y Gastón

Astrid y Gastón is a restaurant that is also on the Top 50 Restaurants in the World list also located in Lima. Because we had such great time at Maido the week prior, we were hoping that this experience would be similar.

We arrive at Astrid y Gastón and realize that it is essentially a mansion turned into a restaurant. Immediately we get excited because other places like this have turned out to be fantastic.

Maxwell made reservations months prior so when we walked in and they asked for a reservation we were excited! Because we had just gotten back from the Inca Trail, we looked a little sunburnt, tired, and covered in mosquito bites. Our dress is appropriate for the place, but we felt judged the moment we walked in.

The hostess seated us in one of the front rooms that had 4 tables in it. Two of the other tables were occupied by couples and the final table was a group of five. We received the menu from our waiter and began to choose. So much to choose from! They really pushed the 10 course tasting menu which is meant for one person. Though we were willing to spend some money here, over $100USD each seemed a little steep. So we chose an entree and an appetizer each.

Once our order was in, the Sommelier came over to help with wine selection. He asked what we ordered and was astonished that we did not order the tasting menu. Instead of helping us, he dropped off the wine list. The only recommendations for me a ‘White’ and for Maxwell a ‘light Red’. I did not think anything of this interaction because I had not previously had much experience with Sommeliers. We notice that he is spending actual time with the other tables. Laughing with them all while suggesting specific glasses and giving the reason for each choice. As we continued to watch the other tables, they all had ordered the tasting menu. More one on one time with the Sommelier comes with a larger check- awesome.

Our waiter was fine, he explained things when we asked, but gave no sense of commitment to serving us. He asked where we were from in the beginning of the meal and was pleasantly surprised when we said the United States. He followed up with, “New York?” As we replied ‘No, we are from…’ he said ‘Oh’ and walked away. Anywhere in the United States other than New York City was not important.

At one point during the meal, the maître d’ that originally greeted us asked if we would like to move outside into the garden. Max and I were confused as we had already had our appetizer and it would be strange to get up and switch tables. We responded, ‘No.’ to which he looked confused. I asked why the move suggestion and he stated that we “looked uncomfortable and out of place.”

I was totally turned off by this point. Getting snubbed by the Sommelier, ignored by our waiter, and now being pushed out of our seats by the maître d’? This inexcusable service continued throughout the meal. Talk about bad service to a couple on their honeymoon.

Overall thoughts

The food was good and there are pictures below. Although it was adequate cuisine, I could care less about this restaurant. Maido was outstanding food with phenomenal service without feeling pretentious. La Mar was one of the best seafood meals I have ever had that gave us experience and tons of laughter. Astrid y Gastón was the most uncomfortable meal I have ever encountered. We waited for our taxi on the curb because I could not leave the restaurant fast enough.